What drives us? Will it outlast us?

By Dr. DAN ERICKSON

About 500 years ago, a missionary-monk named Francis Xavier exhorted European students to "give up your small ambitions" and change the world.

What exactly is a small ambition? It doesn't have to be an activity that is sinful or easy. A small ambition is one that's simply not eternal. You could work ceaselessly at becoming the #1 sales rep in your company. And I hope you are. But are you doing it for God, or for personal glory and worldly "success?"

"Don’t pile up treasures on earth, where moth and rust can spoil them and thieves can break in and steal. But keep your treasure in Heaven." -- Matthew 6:19-20

Work is important and spiritual. And there's nothing wrong with a round of golf or a walk in the park. But we should do it all with the end in mind.

What are our ambitions? What drives us? Are they things that will outlast us?